A Doctor’s View of Centering Pregnancy

Each day, I see women come into my office for their appointments. I wonder about the life they have when they leave.

Why? Because I know their home life can have a major impact on the health of their unborn child. I can’t go home with them to find out if they are eat­ing a healthy diet. I can’t check up on them to make sure they are sleeping well. I can’t help if they are stressed about unemployment. I have many low-income women who come to see me, but I only have a small view into what their lives are like. I do the best I can within a 15-minute office visit. That’s the toughest part of my job.

Until a year and a half ago, I didn’t know I could do more for my patients. I didn’t know there was a network where I could be the voice for the women I see everyday in my office. I didn’t know that network would have the same vision I do for my patients. Then I got connected to United Way and became a partner with the Babies Born Healthy Network.

The Centering Pregnancy model so impressed me that I didn’t just add a new class to our services. We changed our entire practice. My staff and partners had to be trained. We had to remodel our space and create a new schedule for seeing patients. But after just a few months, I can tell you, it’s worth it.